3 Mar 2014, 4:20pm
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Yarno, The Bull Frog

  1. Jarno, the Bull FrogThe illustrator of my children’s book Green Trillium enjoys hiking, nature, and sketching. She often carries a camera to snap shots she might like to draw when she gets home.

On one trek, she saw a fat, comical bull frog in her pathway. She paused to photograph it. It hopped a little way on and she had to readjust her camera. It hopped on a bit farther. She kept after it until she’d snapped a photo of the now grumpy frog.

Jump to 2009 when she was drawing the illustrations for Green Trillium, a children’s book that has lots of nature scenes, flora, and fauna. Mia couldn’t resist putting the grumpy, though whimsical frog into one of the pictures.

Hop ahead to 2014 when I met Jeffrey Thomas Cook at a meeting of the Wayne Writer’s Guild. Members meet twice a month to share what they’re working on, network, and socialize. Jeff bought a copy of Behind Our Eyes: A Second Look,  an anthology of stories, poems, and essays by 65 writers with disabilities that I’d edited. When he came to my home to pick it up, we chatted and he mentioned that he was also a chainsaw artist.

A memory leapt into my mind of a chain sawn frog I’d found years ago. It would have been perfect in my Monet Garden; however, it cost $500. Rather more than I could afford at the time.

After hearing my tale of woe, Jeff said he could do it for $99. I thought about it and we e-mailed back and forth and even sent a digital of the bull frog in my book.

I am now the proud owner of Yarno,The Bull Frog, so named after Mia’s husband. Jarno is actually the correct spelling  of this man from Finland, but I don’t want to get in trouble with our Marines!

The solid oak sculpture will be kerplopped in a special spot near the water feature in my Monet Garden this spring.

 

Green Trillium

By Kate Chamberlin

Illustrated by Mia Surakka

ISBN: 9781426908750

 

Behind Our Eyes: A Second Look

Stories, Poems, and Essays by 65 writers with disabilities

Edited by Kate Chamberlin

ISBN 978-1490304472

NLS/BARD: DB 77772

Book Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk0uIaQTr24

 

Jeffrey Thomas Cook

Critters 3D –  Chainsaw Art / Wooden Toys / Lawn Creations / Frames / Multimedia Sculptures

585/794/0710

jeffreythomascook@gmail.com

 
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